Conveyor system for feeding small parts to a chain assembly unit

ABSTRACT

It is the intention to improve a conveyor system for supplying small parts to a chain assembling unit, the system comprising a track system transporting the small parts, and a feed device loading the track system with the small parts. To this end the track system comprises at least two loading tracks which are loadable by the feed device with small parts, and at least one feed track which passes the small parts onwards to the chain assembling unit and communicates with at least one corresponding loading track, the number of the feed tracks being smaller than the number of the loading tracks, and the at least one feed track being selectively connectable to at least one other corresponding loading track for conveying the small parts.

The present invention relates to a conveyor system for supplying smallparts to a chain assembling unit, the system comprising a track systemtransporting the small parts, and a feed device loading the track systemwith the small parts.

One decisive factor regarding the producible number of chain members ina chain assembling unit considerably depends on the capacity of theconveyor or feed devices. These conveyor devices must supply workpieces,in particular small chain parts such as bolts, sleeves or plates, etc.,in adequate quantities for the joining operation. For a smooth joiningoperation, the conveyor system must have a high availability. To achievesuch an availability, the prior art has suggested various. possiblesolutions, e.g. a redundant use of feed devices, a complete separationof the functions storing, conveying, organizing the joining process bypresorting the components, etc. A presently preferred device in thefield of chain assembly is a vibration type spiral conveyor which isparticularly suited for supplying sleeves and bolts. However, thesesystems have also their limits, especially when a diameter ratio between1 and 1.5 prevails in the transportation of cylindrical components. Withsuch dimensions the components tend to get jammed in the baffles,increasingly resulting in disturbances. Numbers of pieces of more than350 pieces/min are presently standard in the assembly of chains.However, the limiting factor in this system is most of the time theconveyor system, for recently developed joining methods could be carriedout at a much higher number of pieces.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide aconveyor system which while being of a simple and inexpensiveconstruction provides for a high availability of small parts.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the tracksystem comprises at least two loading tracks which can be loaded by thefeed device with small parts, and at least one feed track which passesthe small parts onwards to the chain assembling unit and communicateswith at least one corresponding loading track, the number of the feedtracks being smaller than the number of the loading tracks, and the atleast one feed track being selectively connectable to at least one othercorresponding loading track for conveying the small parts.

This means that the feed device has e.g. twice the number of loadingtracks, whereas only specific loading tracks communicate with acorresponding feed track. The feed track can be switched over orconnected to another loading track under the most differentcircumstances and needs. In the event of disturbances in a loading trackcommunicating with the feed track, another loading track is switched to.The disturbance in the now uncoupled loading track can then be remediedindependently of the flow of material. Thus the loading tracks notparticipating in the conveying action at the moment serve as a bufferwhich will take part in the conveying operation through a correspondingconnection to the feed track, e.g. in the event of disturbance or by adeliberate switching action performed by the user. At the same time, thefeed device then performs again the continuous filling of the loadingtrack. The question with which loading track a feed track iscommunicating at the moment may depend on many criteria, and theconnection may be controlled manually or automatically. The connectionof the loading tracks to the feed tracks, as well as the closing of theloading tracks not communicating with the feed tracks at the moment canbe controlled in many ways.

Such a construction is also possible within a very confinedconstructional space, and only one loading-track length is needed formaintaining or ensuring a safe loading as well as an adequateavailability in the case of a switching of the feed track.

Preferably, a shunt device may be provided between the loading tracksand the feed tracks for selectively connecting at least one specificloading track to at least one specific feed track. The shunt device mustbe designed such that it prevents a further outflow from the currentlyconnected loading track or just waits until the same has been completedentirely, and then passes to another loading track. Such shunt devicesmay be of a very simple construction; that is why they can work veryprecisely and very rapidly. Consequently, even at a very fast conveyingrate an exact switching operation is possible.

Although other assignments are feasible, the conveyor system can best besimplified according to one variant in that the number of the loadingtracks is a multiple of the number of the feed tracks which can bedivided by the number 2. It can thereby be ensured that switching,displacement or other paths that are as short as possible ensure areliable reaction e.g. in the event of a disturbance.

It is thereby possible to position the respectively alternating tracksdirectly side by side without the arrangement of a further trackthereinbetween.

To obtain reliable information as to when a feed track must be connectedto another loading track, a monitoring device may be provided formonitoring the loading of the loading track and for supplying signalsfor a troublefree assignment of loading tracks and feed tracks. In thesimplest case it can be checked whether a transportation flow is stillmaintained at the place of connection between loading track and feedtrack. As soon as small parts no longer pass through the place ofconnection, the feed track is changed to a preferred neighboring loadingtrack. It may also be checked whether foreign matter, damaged parts orincorrectly positioned parts are located in the loading track. Thesignal supplied by the monitoring device can then be used via acorresponding processing unit as a control signal for an automaticchange to another loading track.

In an advantageous embodiment, the shunt device comprises a channelsystem the inlets of which communicate with a respective loading trackand whose at least one outlet communicates with a respective feed track,at least two inlet channels meeting each other at at least one channelcrossing and being continued as a joint outlet channel. Thus the shuntdevice comprises a predetermined channel system by which the small partsare automatically guided in dependence upon the respectively connectedloading track. Additional shunt elements will then provide for acorresponding transportation of the small parts. This can e.g. becarried out in that the shunt device comprises slider elements which fordisabling or enabling an inlet channel and/or a loading track can bemoved into or removed from said channel and/or track. Depending on thesize of the small parts, pins or bolts of a simple design are alsopossible in this instance. These slider elements can be moved into anassociated track or an associated channel at a specific angle or byreason of their shape such that a clamping action that is as great aspossible is achieved if a small part is positioned in the displacementpath of the slider element. As a result, the slider element must notexactly impinge within the gap between the small parts.

For reasons of safety each channel crossing of the shunt device may haveassigned thereto a slider element for blocking or releasing the feedingchannel. As a result, monitoring devices for monitoring the release of achannel crossing can be dispensed with, for it must be ensured thatsmall parts are not supplied by both feeding channels at a channelcrossing at the same time. This might cause a jam as well as aninterruption of the material flow.

In particular, a control device may be provided for controlling theshunt device in dependence upon the monitoring signal of the monitoringdevice. For reasons of wear such a control device could also permit amanual switching operation, so that, if possible, all of the loadingtracks are evenly used.

Furthermore, the control device may be designed such that the connectionof a loading track to a feed track will only be released if the at leastone associated channel crossing of the shunt device is free from chainparts. The control device switches the shunt device either at the righttime or with the help of additional elements in such a way that acollision is prevented in the area of the channel crossing.

The small parts can be conveyed in the loading tracks and the feedtracks in the most different ways. Although according to one embodimenta transportation by gravity is preferred for reasons of costs, a forcedguidance by means of vibration or compressed air, etc. is also possible.With such a forced transportation the throughput could even be increasedconsiderably. Of importance is above all that a continuoustransportation is ensured by the design of the loading tracks and thefeed tracks.

To convey a sufficient number of small parts onto the loading tracks, ithas been found that a rotating conveying pot with internally arrangedblades is in particular suited as a feed device, said pot conveying thesmall parts into that section of the loading tracks that is upwardlyopen at least in the front area. The loading tracks are then preferablyarranged with their front portion in the area of the rotational axiswithin the conveying pot such that the small parts are conveyed into theloading tracks by means of the blades. Such a conveying pot has a muchhigher output than formerly used vibration conveyors and is extremelyrobust in addition. This means that it is insensitive to soiled partsand that foreign matter does not lead to a failure of the conveying pot.The conveying pot may also be equipped with sieves or sieve walls sothat undesired small parts or dirt are removed automatically.Furthermore, any desired number of loading tracks may be arranged inparallel that are loadable with a sufficient number of small parts.Since insensitive small parts are most of the time used in the field ofchain assembly, such a conveying pot is excellently suited for ensuringan extremely high availability.

Furthermore, a stripper element, in particular a stripper roller and/orslider, may be provided which in cooperation with the conveying pot isassigned to the front area of the loading tracks, with incorrectlyoriented small parts being stripped off or slid in a correct orientationinto the loading tracks. Thus, the stripper element supports the correctpositioning of the small parts in the loading tracks; in particular,upright small parts should be turned over by such a stripper element.

A further simplification is achieved in that the loading tracks and/orthe component comprising the channel system of the shunt device aredesigned as upwardly open groove tracks in a substantially joint basicbody.

Embodiments of the present invention shall now be explained in moredetail with reference to drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a track system of a conveyorsystem, showing the switching operation in three stages in the event ofa disturbance;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view on a further embodiment of a conveyorsystem;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the track systemwith further elements;

FIG. 4 is a perspective representation of a rotating pot as a feeddevice to the track system;

FIG. 5 is a top view on an embodiment of a shunt rail;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the shunt rail of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view on a further embodiment of a shunt rail; and

FIG. 8 is a front view on the shunt rail of FIG. 7.

The left side of FIG. 1 shows a track system 1 which operates in atroublefree way and is suited for transporting small parts 2, in thepresent case articulated sleeves for chains. The track system 1 iscontinuously fed with small parts 2 via a feed device 3 (not shown inmore detail in FIG. 1). The feed device 3 ensures that the small parts 2are introduced in a correct position into the track system 1. In theillustrated embodiment, the track system comprises six loading tracks 4which are each loaded by the feed device 3 with small parts 2. Theloading tracks 4 may be any suitable track-type guiding system, such asrails guides, closed channels (e.g. hollow sections), or the like.Preferably, the loading tracks 4 are inclined downwards so that thesmall parts 2 are conveyed by gravity. It is thereby ensured that smallparts 2 can always be reloaded.

Furthermore, the track system 1 comprises three feed tracks 5 which feedthe small parts 2 to a joining head 6 (not shown in more detail) of achain assembling unit. Each feed track 5 has assigned thereto twoloading tracks 4. The first feed track 5 is assigned to the first andsecond loading tracks 4 (from the left to the right), the second feedtrack 5 to the third and fourth loading track 4, and the third feedtrack 5 to the fifth and sixth loading track 4. Other assignments may besuitably employed. In particular, more than two loading tracks 4 can beassigned to one feed track 5. This means that the feed tracks 5 in theconnection area 7 can be communicated with another corresponding loadingtrack 4. In the left illustration of FIG. 1, the first feed track 5 isconnected to the first loading track, the second feed track 5 to thethird loading track 4, and the third feed track 5 to the fifth loadingtrack 4. Each of the second, fourth and sixth loading tracks 4 serves asa buffer. The feed device is designed such that said buffers are alwayskept in a fully filled state, but once they have been filled completely,it is not possible to convey further small parts 2 thereinto.

Corresponding shut-off devices (not shown in more detail) will thenensure that the loading tracks that serve as buffers are closed at theend facing the connection area 7.

The left illustration of FIG. 1 now shows the initial state forconveying small parts 2. If, as shown in the central illustration ofFIG. 1, there is a disturbance or disorder in one of the loading tracks4 (in the instant case the third loading track 4), the flow of conveyedparts is interrupted at said place, and the second feed track 5 is nolonger supplied with small parts 2. To prevent a situation in the secondfeed track 5 where the mounting operation is impaired by an interruptionin the flow of conveyed parts, a safety means is now installed. Sensors(not shown in more detail) sense the disruption of the flow of conveyedparts in the connection area 7, or at any other suitable place, andstart a switching operation. Reference numeral 8 marks the place ofdisruption in the third loading track 4 caused by a jamming of sleeves2. The end of the second feed track 5 which faces the connection area 7is now switched from the third loading track 4 to the fourth loadingtrack 5. At the same time, the end of the fourth loading track 4 whichfaces the connection area 7 is opened, so that small parts 2 caninstantaneously be conveyed from the fourth loading track 4 into thesecond feed track 5. This operation takes place at such a fast pace thatthe flow of small parts is not interrupted at the joining head 6. Tothis end the feed device 3 must additionally be capable of conveyingsmall parts 2 at a faster speed to the loading track 4 than the speed atwhich they are discharged in the area of the joining head.

When the apparatus is now in the position that is the right one in FIG.1, the disorder in the third loading track 4 can be eliminated.

To ensure a reliable function of this schematically illustratedmechanism, precautions must be taken which permit both a swift and neatloading of the loading tracks 4 and an adequate monitoring, e.g. bysensors which immediately sense a disturbance. Furthermore, a mechanismmust be provided in the connection area 7, for instance a shuntmechanism which permits a neat and troublefree connection of the feedtracks 5 to the loading tracks 4, in particular during a switchingoperation. These functions can be fulfilled by a plurality of differentmechanisms. Exemplary configurations shall be described in thefollowing.

According to FIG. 2 a rotating pot 9 which rotates about an axis is usedas the feed device 3. Such rotating pots 9 comprise internally arrangedbaffles 10 and are able to supply large quantities of small parts 2 on aplurality of conveyor tracks. The small parts 2 are arranged in theinterior of the rotating pot 9 and are conveyed by the baffles 10 to thefront area 11 of the loading tracks 4 by way of entrainment. This frontarea 11 of the loading tracks 4 is upwardly open, so that the smallparts 2 can penetrate into the individual loading tracks 4 by being justthrown onto said area 11. A reciprocating stripper or slider 12 willthen ensure that the small parts 2 are arranged in a correct position inthe tracks 4 and that excessive small parts will fall back into therotating pot 9. Since all of the loading tracks 4 are upwardly open, allloading tracks 4, in the instant case eight loading tracks 4, aresupplied with small parts 2. The width of the loading tracks 4 isnormally smaller than the length of the small parts. The loading tracks4 which are serving as buffers do not present any obstacles because dueto the fact that they are filled completely they can no longer receiveany additional small parts 2, with the slider 12 wiping off again anyexcessive small parts 2.

In the present case the small parts 2 are also conveyed into the loadingtracks 4 by gravity due to the fact that the loading tracks 4 extendobliquely downwards. The gradient of the inclination has here beenchosen such that there is an adequate conveying speed and that the flowof small parts is never interrupted at the joining head 6. A forcedtransportation of the small parts 2 may also be provided for, e.g. byway of vibration or compressed-air transportation. The connection area 7is followed in the instant case by a shunt device 13. The shunt device13 comprises a channel system which includes eight inlets 14, each ofsaid inlets 14 communicating with the end of one of the loading tracks4. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the basic body 15 of the shunt device 13which carries the channel system. Two respective inlet channels 14 arecombined at a channel crossing 16 to form a joint intermediate channel17. These intermediate channels 17, in turn, are combined at a jointsecond channel crossing 18 to form a joint outlet channel 19. The outletchannels 19 then communicate again with a corresponding feed track 5.

This means that each feed track 5 communicates with four loading tracks4. This offers a number of conveying possibilities which require acorresponding control and monitoring of the shunt device 13. Of primeimportance is here that only one respective small part 2 passes into thearea of a channel crossing 16 or 18 so that no jamming takes place atsaid point. This means that only a single one of the channel sectionsleading to one of the channel crossings 16 or 18 can communicate withthe channel section leading away therefrom. This connection, however,may also alternate as long as a troublefree transportation is ensured inthe crossing area. In an extreme case this means for the variant shownin FIG. 2 and FIGS. 5 and 6 that each feed track 5 has assigned theretothree loading tracks 4 serving as buffers. Each of the loading tracks 4must thus be able to ensure an adequate supply of small parts to thefeed track 5. As soon as some disturbance arises in one of the loadingtracks 4, another loading track 4 is switched to in accordance with ashunt adjustment. This switching operation may also take placebatchwise. As soon as e.g. one of the loading tracks 4 serving as abuffer has been filled again entirely, said track can be connected to afeed track 5, so that the whole contents can be conveyed as fast aspossible into the feed track 5. This operation can then be carried outat a faster speed than the supply of the small parts 2 to the individualloading tracks 4. This process can easily be maintained with the help offour cooperating loading tracks 4-also in the event of disturbance.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the channels in the basic body 15 are upwardlyopen grooves 20 of a rectangular cross-section. The grooves 20 mayadditionally be provided at their base with a small longitudinal groove21 which serves e.g. to receive dirt particles.

FIG. 3 now illustrates one possibility of disabling or enabling theloading tracks 4 and the shunt device 13, respectively. To this endslider elements 23 are used that are each provided with a plunger 22.These slider elements 23 may also be arranged in the tracks or grooves.This illustration only shows one of the possible variants. The plunger22 of the slider element 23 can be retracted and extended. In theretracted state the slider element 23 releases the associated track orthe associated channel, so that small parts 2 are conveyed therethrough.However, when the plunger 22 is extended, it either impinges in a gapbetween two small parts 2, thereby blocking the track or the channel, orthe plunger 22 impinges on the small part 2 itself. The small part 2 isclamped by the plunger 22 because of the shape of the track or thechannel. Preferably, the clamping force is applied by the plunger 22obliquely from above, as shown in FIG. 3, resulting in an improvedclamping action because the cylindrical small parts 2 are then pressedagainst both the side wall and the bottom wall of the track or thechannel.

As becomes also apparent from FIG. 3, each of the tracks or channels hasassigned thereto such a slider element 23. These slider elements 23 maybe arranged at any desired place of the loading tracks 4, the shuntdevice 13 or the feed tracks 5. The simplest variant consists in thatthe slider elements 23 are assigned either to the lower end of theloading tracks 4 or the inlet channels 14 of the shunt device 13. Eachof the loading tracks 4 can thereby be blocked or released.Corresponding monitoring devices or sensors can then detect each timewhether the channel crossings 16 and 18, respectively, are released andit is only in cases where no small parts are found in this area twicethat another loading track is enabled by means of the slider element 23.In a simple variant it is entirely sufficient to monitor the area of thechannel crossing 18 with one sensor.

Corresponding disturbance sensors may also be arranged at any otherplace to detect any disturbance, e.g. a jamming of small parts 2 in theloading tracks 4, so that these signals can be processed by a controlunit and said unit, in turn, transmits signals to the slider elements23, so that a desired shunt adjustment and a connection of apredetermined loading track 4 with a feed track 5 are carried out.

If it is e.g. assumed in the case of this variant that one of the fourcooperating loading tracks 4 serves as a substitute track in case ofdisturbance and that three loading tracks 4 can always be used, theconveying speed can be increased by one third over conventional singletracks with the same feed device 3. In addition, this system alsoensures an adequate availability even in the event of disturbance.

FIG. 4 shows a further variant of a feed device 3 with a rotating pot 9.The rotating pot 9 is slightly inclined rearwards, so that its axis ofrotation is oriented obliquely upwards. In this instance, too, thebaffles 10 ensure that the small parts 2 located in the rotating head 9are conveyed upwards. These will then fall from the baffles 10 onto thefront area 11 of the loading tracks 4. These are formed in the presentcase in a joint basic body 24 as upwardly open grooved tracks. In thepresent case three loading tracks 4 are provided for. In this variant, astripper roller 25 serves as a stripper element which ensures that thesmall parts 2 are safely received in the loading tracks 4. As can alsobe seen very clearly, the loading tracks 4 are guided away obliquelydownwards approximately from a point of intersection with the axis ofrotation of the rotating pot 9, so that a transportation bygravitational force takes place. Depending on the steepness of theinclination, the conveying speed can be defined in the loading tracks 4.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a further variant of the basic body 15 of a shuntdevice 13. The basic body is again equipped with eight inlet channels14. In this instance, however, only two inlet channels 14 are connectedvia the channel crossing 16 to an outlet channel 19. It is thus possibleto operate four feed tracks 5. Since each feed track 5 has assignedthereto two loading tracks 4, an adequate reliability and a permanentavailability of small parts can again be ensured by way of acorresponding control. Monitoring devices, such as sensors, monitor thechannel crossing 16 again to prevent any accumulation caused by jammingin the shunt device 13. Suitable shunt elements, such as the sliderelements 23 shown in FIG. 3, will then ensure a corresponding enablingoperation or connection of specific loading tracks 4 to the associatedfeed tracks 5.

The cross section of the grooves 20 can be seen in FIG. 8.

Depending on the selected variant, it is possible to improve not onlythe reliability when small parts are fed to a chain assembling unit, butthe conveying speed can also be increased, if necessary. Moreover, theuse of a rotating feed device makes it possible to load loading trackswith a much higher number of pieces than is possible with feed devicesthat have so far been used in this technical field. As becomes apparentfrom the above-described embodiments, the switching between theindividual loading tracks 4 and the feed tracks 5 can be carried out indifferent ways, e.g. by displacing the feed tracks 5 relative to theloading tracks 4, or vice versa, by using shut-off elements (e.g. sliderelements 23) or other shunt systems.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conveyor system for feeding parts (2) to achain assembling unit, comprising a track system (1) transporting saidparts (2), and a feed device (3) loading said track system (1) with saidparts (2), said track system (1) comprising at least two loading tracks(4) which are loadable by said feed device (3) with parts (2), and feedtracks (5) which pass said parts (2) onwards to said chain assemblingunit and communicate with at least one corresponding loading track (4),the number of said feed tracks (5) being smaller than the number of saidloading tracks (4), and at least one of said feed tracks (5) beingselectively connectable to at least one other corresponding loadingtrack (4) for conveying said parts (2), and a shunt device (13) beingprovided between said loading tracks (4) and said feed tracks (5) forselectively connecting at least one specific loading track (4) to atleast one specific feed track (5), characterized in that said shuntdevice (13) comprises a channel system whose inlets (14) communicatewith a respective loading track (4) and whose at least one outlet (19)communicates with a respective feed track (5), and that at least twoinlet channels (14) meet each other at at least one channel crossing(16, 18) and are continued as a joint outlet channel (19), and the shuntdevice (13) has slider elements (23) which, for disabling or enabling aninlet channel (14) and/or a loading track (4), are movable into andremovable from said channel and or track.
 2. The conveyor systemaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the number of said loadingtracks (4) is a multiple of the number of said feed tracks (5), whichnumber of feed tracks can be divided by the number
 2. 3. The conveyorsystem according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that amonitoring device is provided which monitors the loading of said loadingtracks (4) and which supplies signals for assignment of loading tracks(4) and feed tracks (5).
 4. The conveyor system according to claim 1 or2, characterized in that said at least one channel crossing (16, 18) ofsaid shunt device (13) has assigned thereto a slider element (23) fordisabling or enabling the associated channel (14, 17, 19).
 5. Theconveyor system according to claim 3, characterized in that a controldevice is provided for controlling said shunt device (13) in response toa monitoring signal from said monitoring device.
 6. The conveyor systemaccording to claim 5, characterized in that said control device isconfigured such that the connection of a loading track (4) to a feedtrack (5) will only be enabled if the least one associated channelcrossing (16, 18) of said shunt device (13) is free from parts (2). 7.The conveyor system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatsaid loading tracks (4) and said feed tracks (5) are designed such thatsaid parts (2) are conveyed by gravity.
 8. The conveyor system accordingto claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said feed device (3) is formed bya rotating conveyor pot (9) with inwardly arranged blades (10) forconveying said parts (2) in a section of said loading tracks (4) havingan upwardly open in the front area (11).
 9. The conveyor systemaccording to claim 8, characterized in that a striper element (12, 25),comprising a stripper roller and/or slider, is assigned to the frontarea (11) of said loading tracks (4) for stripping off an incorrectlyoriented part (2) or for sliding said part into said loading track (4)with a correct orientation.
 10. The conveyor system according to claim 1or 2, characterized in that said loading tracks (4) and or a component(15) comprising the channel system of said shunt device (13) aredesigned as upwardly open groove tracks in a body.
 11. A conveyor systemfor feeding parts (2) to a chain assembling unit, comprising a tracksystem (1) transporting said parts (2), and a feed device (3) loadingsaid track system (1) with said parts (2), said track system (1)comprising at least two loading tracks (4) which are loadable by saidfeed device (3) with parts (2), and feed tracks (5) which pass saidparts (2) onwards to said chain assembling unit and communicate with atleast one corresponding loading track (4), the number of said feedtracks (5) being smaller than the number of said loading tracks (4), andsaid feed tracks (5) being selectively connectable to at least one othercorresponding loading track (4) for conveying said parts (2), and ashunt device (13) being provided between said loading tracks (4) andsaid feed tracks (5) for selectively connecting at least one specificloading track (4) to a specific at least one feed track (5), and acontrol device being provided for controlling said shunt device (13) inresponse to the monitoring signal from a monitoring device,characterized in that said control device is configured such that theconnection of a loading track (4) to a feed track (5) will only beenabled if the at least one associated channel crossing (16, 18) of saidshunt device (13) is free from parts (2), and the shunt device (13) hasslider elements (23) comprising a plunger that, for disabling orenabling an inlet channel (14) and/or a loading track (4), are movableinto and removable from said channel and or track.
 12. The conveyorsystem according to claim 11, characterized in that the number of saidloading tracks (4) is a multiple of the number of said feed tracks (5),which number of feed tracks can be divided by the number
 2. 13. Theconveyor system according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that amonitoring device is provided which monitors the loading of said loadingtracks (4) and which supplies said signal for assignment of loadingtracks (4) and feed tracks (5).
 14. The conveyor system according toclaim 11 or 12, characterized in that said shunt device (13) comprises achannel system whose inlets (14) communicate with a respective loadingtrack (4) and whose having at least one outlet (19) communicating with arespective feed track (5), and that at least two inlet channels (14)meet each other at at least one channel crossing (16, 18) and arecontinued as a joint outlet channel (19).
 15. The conveyor systemaccording to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that each channel crossing(16, 18) of said shunt device (13) has assigned thereto a slider element(23) for disabling or enabling the associated channel (14, 17, 19). 16.The conveyor system according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in thatsaid loading tracks (4) and said feed tracks (5) are designed such thatsaid parts (2) are conveyed by gravity.
 17. The conveyor systemaccording to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said feed device (3)is formed by a rotating conveyor pot (9) with inwardly arranged blades(10) for conveying said parts (2) in that section of said loading tracks(4) that is at least upwardly open in the front area (11).
 18. Theconveyor system according to claim 17, characterized in that a stripperelement (12, 25), comprising a stripper roller and/or slider, isassigned to the front area (11) of said loading tracks (4) for strippingoff an incorrectly oriented part (2) or for sliding said small part intosaid loading track (4) with a correct orientation.
 19. The conveyorsystem according to claim 14, characterized in that said loading tracks(4) and or a component (15) comprising the channel system of said shuntdevice (13) are designed as upwardly open groove tracks in substantiallyone joint body.
 20. A conveyor system for feeding parts (2) to a chainassembling unit, comprising a track system (1) transporting said parts(2), and a feed device (3) loading said track system (1) with said parts(2), said track system (1) comprising at least two loading tracks (4)which are loadable by said feed device (3) with parts (2), and feedtracks (5) which pass said parts (2) onwards to said chain assemblingunit and communicate with at least one corresponding loading track (4),the number of said feed tracks (5) being smaller than the number of saidloading tracks (4), and said feed tracks (5) being selectivelyconnectable to at least one other corresponding loading track (4) forconveying said parts (2), characterized in that said feed device (3) isformed by a rotating conveyor pot (9) with inwardly arranged blades (10)for conveying said parts (2) in that section of said loading tracks (4)having an upwardly open front area (11), and the shunt device (13) hasslider elements (23) comprising a plunger that, for disabling orenabling an inlet channel (14) and/or a loading track (4), are movableinto and removable from said channel and/or track.
 21. The conveyorsystem according to claim 20, characterized in that a shunt device (13)is provided between said loading tracks (4) and said feed tracks (5) forselectively connecting at least one specific loading track (4) to atleast one specific feed track (5).
 22. The conveyor system according toclaim 20 or 21, characterized in that the number of said loading tracks(4) is a multiple of the number of said feed tracks (5), which number offeed tracks can be divided by the number
 2. 23. The conveyor systemaccording to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that a monitoring deviceis provided which monitors the loading of said loading tracks (4) andwhich supplies signals for assignment of loading tracks (4) and feedtracks (5).
 24. The conveyor system according to claim 21, characterizedin that said shunt device (13) comprises a channel system whose inlets(14) communicate with a respective loading track (4) and whose at leastone outlet (19) communicates with a respective feed track (5), and thatat least two inlet channels (14) meet each other at at least one channelcrossing (16, 18) and are continued as a joint outlet channel (19). 25.The conveyor system according to claim 24, characterized in that eachchannel crossing (16, 18) of said shunt device (13) has assigned theretoa slider element (23) comprising a plunger for disabling or enabling theassociates channel (14, 17, 19).
 26. The conveyor system according toclaim 23, characterized in that a control device is provided forcontrolling said shunt device (13) in response to the monitoring signalfrom said monitoring device.
 27. The conveyor system according to claim26, characterized in that said control device is configured such thatthe connection of a loading track (4) to a feed track (5) will only beenabled if the at least one associated channel crossing (16, 18) of saidshunt device (13) is free from parts (2).
 28. The conveyor systemaccording to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that said loading tracks(4) and said at least one feed track (5) are designed such that saidparts (2) are conveyed by gravity.
 29. The conveyor system according toclaim 20 or 21, characterized in that a stripper element (12, 25),comprising a stripper roller and/or slider, is assigned to the frontarea (11) of said loading tracks (4) for stripping off an incorrectlyoriented part (2) or for sliding said part into said loading track (4)with a correct orientation.
 30. The conveyor system according to claim24, characterized in that said loading tracks (4) and or a component(15) comprising the channel system of said shunt device (13) aredesigned as upwardly open groove tracks in substantially one joint body.